K-TEC v. Vita-Mix

How Blendtec Won a Patent Infringement Battle Against an Industry Giant

Di Lewis

February 18, 2013

“Over the last decade or so there’s been a view from the public that patents aren’t worth getting because the Patent Office grants too many patents. What this case has done is reinforced the concept that when you have a valuable idea and you take the time and effort to protect that idea, you can count on the judicial system to protect those rights, and damages, where appropriate, can be awarded.”

Brett says one of the most important things about the Federal Circuit opinion is that it is precedential. K-TEC moved forward to prove that this case was about willful infringement and won. Even better, Brett says the ruling affirmed a “real-world story.” They had proof the Blendtec blender was a groundbreaking invention that had shaken up the industry, that Vita-Mix had copied Dickson’s invention and created a number of non-infringing designs.

“It’s neat to watch a small Utah company become a real big player in the market through protecting and enforcing their intellectual property,” Brett says. “He trusted in the system and the system didn’t let him down,” Grant adds.